HVAC controller with integrated wireless network processor chip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building automation and control networks require additional hardware and complexity due to the use of sensor actuator (SA) buses for wireless connectivity, increasing costs and configuration complexity.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a wireless network processor chip within a controller that includes a wireless radio, processor, and memory, enabling wireless data communications without the need for external processing or communication components, using protocols like BACnet and JSON for communication with BMS devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless connectivity is added to existing network architecture using additional wireless communications device or chip, then wireless communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wireless communication processor and the BACnet protocol processor into a single integrated chip. This merging eliminates the need for separate wireless communication devices or chips that would otherwise need to be added to existing network components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining wireless communication capability.
2Ease of operation
If SA bus hardware components are used for communication, then communication functionality is improved, but cost and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wireless communication functionality from the traditional SA bus hardware architecture and integrates it directly into the controller chip. This extraction eliminates the need for external SA bus hardware components such as level shifting hardware, end-of-line switches, and insulated power supplies, thereby reducing both cost and configuration complexity while maintaining communication functionality.
3Productivity
If external processing components are used for wireless data communication, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wireless radio, processor, and memory onto a single integrated chip. This integration eliminates the need for external processing components that would otherwise be required to handle wireless data communication, thereby maintaining data communication efficiency while reducing device complexity and component count.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor. The integrated wireless network processor includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor is configured to provide a web page for rendering on the user device using the WiFi communications protocol.